Refrigerant jacket and air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001Field of the Invention

0002The present invention relates to a refrigerant jacket and to an air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith, and particularly relates to a refrigerant jacket that uses refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit to cool a heat emitting electrical part and to an air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith.

0003Background Art

0004Conventionally, a refrigerant jacket that uses refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit to cool a heat emitting electrical part and an air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith have been known, such as those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-42115.

0005The refrigerant jacket has a refrigerant cooling member and a cover member. The refrigerant cooling member is a member made of aluminum that thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical part and in which are formed groove portions into which a refrigerant tube configuring the refrigerant circuit fits. The cover member is a member that covers the refrigerant cooling member in a state in which the refrigerant tube has been fitted into the groove portions.

SUMMARY

0006In the conventional refrigerant jacket, a screw hole (a cover member fixing screw hole) having threads is formed in the refrigerant cooling member made of aluminum, and the cover member is fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member by a screw (a cover member fixing screw) that screws into the cover member fixing screw hole.

0007However, in this screwing structure, sometimes the threads of the cover member fixing screw hole end up stripping due to repeated screwing and excessive tightening of the cover member fixing screw, so that faulty fastening of the cover member to the refrigerant cooling member occurs. Additionally, when such faulty fastening occurs, the close contact between the refrigerant tube and the groove portions of the refrigerant cooling member becomes insufficient, and there is the concern that the required refrigerant cooling performance will not be obtained.

0008For this reason, ensuring that the threads of the cover member fixing screw hole do not strip even due to repeated screwing and excessive tightening of the cover member fixing screw and making it possible for the cover member to be fixed to the refrigerant cooling member in a state in which the refrigerant tube and the groove portions of the refrigerant cooling member are in sufficiently close contact with one another is preferred.

0009Therefore, in a refrigerant jacket pertaining to the present invention, a strength member higher in strength than the refrigerant cooling member is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member, a cover member fixing screw hole is formed in the strength member, and the cover member is fastened and fixed to the strength member by a cover member fixing screw.

0010Specifically, a refrigerant jacket pertaining to a first aspect is a refrigerant jacket that uses refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit to cool a heat emitting electrical part. The refrigerant jacket has a refrigerant cooling member and a cover member. The refrigerant cooling member is a member made of aluminum or aluminum alloy that thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical part and in which is formed a groove portion into which a refrigerant tube configuring the refrigerant circuit fits. The cover member is a member that covers the refrigerant cooling member in a state in which the refrigerant tube has been fitted into the groove portion. Additionally, a strength member higher in strength than the refrigerant cooling member is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member. A cover-side through hole including a through hole is formed in the cover member in a position opposing the strength member. A cover member fixing screw hole including a screw hole having threads is formed in the strength member in a position opposing the cover-side through hole. The cover member is fastened and fixed to the strength member by a cover member fixing screw including a screw that passes through the cover-side through hole and screws into the cover member fixing screw hole.

0011Because of this, here, the threads of the cover member fixing screw hole no longer strip even due to repeated screwing and excessive tightening of the cover member fixing screw, and the cover member can be fixed to the refrigerant cooling member in a state in which the refrigerant tube and the groove portion of the refrigerant cooling member are in sufficiently close contact with one another.

0012A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a second aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to the first aspect, wherein the strength member is a member that does not electrically corrode even when it contacts the refrigerant cooling member, the cover member, and the refrigerant tube.

0013Because of this, here, damage caused by electrical corrosion of the refrigerant jacket can be suppressed.

0014A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a third aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to the first or second aspect, wherein the cover member fixing screw hole penetrates the strength member. A first refrigerant cooling-side recessed portion including a recess or through hole is formed in the refrigerant cooling member in a position opposing the cover member fixing screw hole.

0015Because of this, here, the hole depth of the cover member fixing screw hole can be increased and the distal end portion of the cover member fixing screw can be accommodated in the first refrigerant cooling-side recessed portion. Additionally, the fastening strength between the cover member and the strength member can be improved and interference between the cover member fixing screw and the refrigerant cooling member can be avoided.

0016A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a fourth aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to any of the first to third aspects, wherein a strength-side through hole including a through hole is formed in the strength member in a position opposing the refrigerant cooling member. A strength member fixing screw hole including a screw hole having threads is formed in the refrigerant cooling member in a position opposing the strength-side through hole. The strength member is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member as a result of being fastened by a strength member fixing screw including a screw that passes through the strength-side through hole and screws into the strength member fixing screw hole.

0017Because of this, here, the strength member can be strongly and easily fixed to the refrigerant cooling member.

0018A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a fifth aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to the fourth aspect, wherein a first strength-side recessed portion including a recess that accommodates a head portion of the strength member fixing screw in a state in which the strength member has been fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member is formed in the strength member.

0019Because of this, here, interference between the head portion of the strength member fixing screw and the cover member can be avoided.

0020A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a sixth aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to any of the first to third aspects, wherein a second refrigerant cooling-side recessed portion including a recess into which the strength member fits is formed in the refrigerant cooling member. The strength member is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member as a result of being press-fitted into the second refrigerant cooling-side recessed portion.

0021Because of this, here, the strength member can be strongly and easily fixed to the refrigerant cooling member.

0022A refrigerant jacket pertaining to a seventh aspect is the refrigerant jacket pertaining to any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a heat emitting electrical part fixing screw hole including a screw hole having threads is formed in the refrigerant cooling member in a position opposing the heat emitting electrical part. The heat emitting electrical part is fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member by a heat emitting electrical part fixing screw including a screw that screws into the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw hole. The heat emitting electrical part fixing screw hole penetrates the refrigerant cooling member. A second strength-side recessed portion including a recess or through hole is formed in the strength member in a position opposing the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw hole.

0023Because of this, here, the hole depth of the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw hole can be increased and the distal end portion of the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw can be accommodated in the second strength-side recessed portion. Additionally, the fastening strength between the refrigerant cooling member and the heat emitting electrical part can be improved and interference between the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw and the strength member can be avoided.

0024An air conditioning apparatus pertaining to an eighth aspect has a refrigerant circuit, a heat emitting electrical part, and the refrigerant jacket pertaining to any of the first to seventh aspects.

0025Because of this, here, the threads of the cover member fixing screw hole no longer strip even due to repeated screwing and excessive tightening of the cover member fixing screw, and the cover member can be fixed to the refrigerant cooling member in a state in which the refrigerant tube and the groove portion of the refrigerant cooling member are in sufficiently close contact with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus equipped with a refrigerant jacket pertaining to the present invention.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a plan sectional view of an outdoor unit.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a front view of the outdoor unit showing a state in which a blower chamber-side front plate and a machine chamber-side front plate have been removed.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a front view of the refrigerant jacket.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a sectional view taken along line I-I of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a front view showing a state in which a refrigerant cooling member is supported on a base plate.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a sectional view taken along line II-II of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a sectional view taken along line III-III of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a front view showing a state in which a liquid refrigerant tube has been fitted into groove portions of the refrigerant cooling member.

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a front view of a cover member.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a front view showing a state in which the refrigerant cooling member is covered with the cover member.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

0038<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section C of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows an example modification of the refrigerant jacket and is a drawing corresponding to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>.

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> shows the example modification of the refrigerant jacket and is a drawing corresponding to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)

0042An embodiment of a refrigerant jacket pertaining to the present invention and an air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith, as well as an example modification thereof, will be described below on the basis of the drawings. The specific configurations of the refrigerant jacket pertaining to the present invention and the air conditioning apparatus equipped therewith are not limited to the configurations in the following embodiment and example modification thereof and can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

0000(1) Configuration of Air Conditioning Apparatus

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic configuration diagram of an air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> equipped with a refrigerant jacket pertaining to the present invention.

0044The air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> is an apparatus that can cool and heat a room in a building or the like by performing a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> is configured mainly as a result of an outdoor unit <b>2</b> and an indoor unit <b>4</b> being interconnected. Here, the outdoor unit <b>2</b> and the indoor unit <b>4</b> are interconnected via a liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b> and a gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b>. That is, a vapor compression refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> of the air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> is configured as a result of the outdoor unit <b>2</b> and the indoor unit <b>4</b> being interconnected via the refrigerant connection tubes <b>5</b> and <b>6</b>.

0000Indoor Unit

0045The indoor unit <b>4</b> is installed in a room and configures part of the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b>. The indoor unit <b>4</b> mainly has an indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>.

0046The indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is a heat exchanger which, during a cooling operation, functions as an evaporator of refrigerant to cool the room air and, during a heating operation, functions as a radiator of the refrigerant to heat the room air. The liquid side of the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is connected to the liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b>, and the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is connected to the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b>.

0047The indoor unit <b>4</b> has an indoor fan <b>42</b> for sucking room air into the indoor unit <b>4</b>, causing the room air to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>, and thereafter supplying the air to the room as supply air. That is, the indoor unit <b>4</b> has the indoor fan <b>42</b> as a fan that supplies, to the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>, room air serving as a heating source or a cooling source of the refrigerant flowing through the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>. Here, for example, a centrifugal fan or a multi-blade fan driven by an indoor fan motor <b>42</b><i>a </i>is used as the indoor fan <b>42</b>.

0048The indoor unit <b>4</b> has an indoor-side control unit <b>40</b> that controls the actions of each part configuring the indoor unit <b>4</b>. Additionally, the indoor-side control unit <b>40</b> has a microcomputer and a memory and the like disposed in order to control the indoor unit <b>4</b>, and the indoor-side control unit <b>40</b> can exchange control signals and so forth with a remote controller (not shown in the drawings) and exchange control signals and so forth with the outdoor unit <b>2</b>.

0000Outdoor Unit

0049The outdoor unit <b>2</b> is installed outdoors and configures part of the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b>. The outdoor unit <b>2</b> mainly has a compressor <b>21</b>, a four-way switching valve <b>22</b>, an outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>, a refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>, an expansion valve <b>26</b>, a liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b>, and a gas-side stop valve <b>28</b>.

0050The compressor <b>21</b> is a device that compresses the low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle to a high pressure. The compressor <b>21</b> has a closed structure where such as a rotary or scroll positive-displacement compression element (not shown in the drawings) is driven to rotate by a compressor motor <b>21</b><i>a </i>whose frequency (speed) can be controlled by an inverter. That is, the compressor <b>21</b> is configured in such a way that its operating capacity can be controlled by varying its frequency (speed). A suction tube <b>31</b> is connected to the suction side of the compressor <b>21</b>, and a discharge tube <b>32</b> is connected to the discharge side of the compressor <b>21</b>. The suction tube <b>31</b> is a refrigerant tube that interconnects the suction side of the compressor <b>21</b> and the four-way switching valve <b>22</b>. The discharge tube <b>32</b> is a refrigerant tube that interconnects the discharge side of the compressor <b>21</b> and the four-way switching valve <b>22</b>.

0051The four-way switching valve <b>22</b> is a switching valve for switching the direction of the flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b>. During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> switches to a cooling cycle state in which the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is caused to function as a radiator of the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor <b>21</b> and the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is caused to function as an evaporator of the refrigerant that has released heat in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>. That is, during the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> interconnects the discharge side of the compressor <b>21</b> (here, the discharge tube <b>32</b>) and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> (here, a first gas refrigerant tube <b>33</b>) (see the solid line of the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The four-way switching valve <b>22</b> also interconnects the suction side of the compressor <b>21</b> (here, the suction tube <b>31</b>) and the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b> side (here, a second gas refrigerant tube <b>34</b>) (see the solid line of the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Furthermore, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> switches to a heating cycle state in which the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is caused to function as an evaporator of the refrigerant that has released heat in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> and the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is caused to function as a radiator of the refrigerant that has been compressed in the compressor <b>21</b>. That is, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> interconnects the discharge side of the compressor <b>21</b> (here, the discharge tube <b>32</b>) and the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b> side (here, the second gas refrigerant tube <b>34</b>) (see the dashed line of the four-way switching valve in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). The four-way switching valve <b>22</b> also interconnects the suction side of the compressor <b>21</b> (here, the suction tube <b>31</b>) and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> (here, the first gas refrigerant tube <b>33</b>) (see the dashed line of the four-way switching valve in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>). Here, the first gas refrigerant tube <b>33</b> is a refrigerant tube that interconnects the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>. The second gas refrigerant tube <b>34</b> is a refrigerant tube that interconnects the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> and the gas-side stop valve <b>28</b>.

0052The outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is a heat exchanger which, during the cooling operation, functions as a radiator of the refrigerant using outdoor air as a cooling source and, during the heating operation, functions as an evaporator of the refrigerant using outdoor air as a heating source. The liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is connected to a liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>, and the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is connected to the first gas refrigerant tube <b>33</b>. The liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> is a refrigerant tube that interconnects the liquid side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> and the liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b> side.

0053The expansion valve <b>26</b> is a valve which, during the cooling operation, reduces the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle that has released heat in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle. Furthermore, the expansion valve <b>26</b> is a valve which, during the heating operation, reduces the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle that has released heat in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle. The expansion valve <b>26</b> is disposed in a section of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> near the liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b>. Here, an electrically powered expansion valve is used as the expansion valve <b>26</b>.

0054The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is a heat exchanger that uses the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> (here, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant tube <b>35</b>) to cool electrical parts <b>72</b> (heat emitting electrical parts) that emit a lot of heat—such as power elements—and configure a later-described electrical component unit <b>70</b>. That is, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> functions as a heat exchanger that cools the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> using the high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle after the refrigerant has released its heat in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> (that is, the refrigerant flowing between the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> and the expansion valve <b>26</b>), and during the heating operation, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> functions as a heat exchanger that cools the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> using the low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle after its pressure has been reduced by the expansion valve <b>26</b> (that is, the refrigerant flowing between the expansion valve <b>26</b> and the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>).

0055The liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b> and the gas-side stop valve <b>28</b> are valves disposed in openings that connect to external devices and tubes (specifically, the liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b> and the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b>). The liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b> is disposed on the end portion of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>. The gas-side stop valve <b>28</b> is disposed on the end portion of the second gas refrigerant tube <b>34</b>.

0056The outdoor unit <b>2</b> has an outdoor fan <b>36</b> for sucking outdoor air into the outdoor unit <b>2</b>, causing the outdoor air to exchange heat with the refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>, and thereafter expelling the air to the outside. That is, the outdoor unit <b>2</b> has the outdoor fan <b>36</b> as a fan that supplies, to the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>, outdoor air serving as a cooling source or a heating source of the refrigerant flowing through the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>. Here, for example, a propeller fan driven by an outdoor fan motor <b>36</b><i>a </i>is used as the outdoor fan <b>36</b>.

0057The outdoor unit <b>2</b> has an outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b> that controls the actions of each part configuring the outdoor unit <b>2</b>. Additionally, the outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b> has a microcomputer and a memory and the like disposed in order to control the outdoor unit <b>2</b>, and the outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b> can exchange control signals and so forth with the indoor unit <b>4</b> (that is, the indoor-side control unit <b>40</b>). The outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b> is configured by the later-described electrical component unit <b>70</b>.

0000Refrigerant Connection Tubes

0058The refrigerant connection tubes <b>5</b> and <b>6</b> are refrigerant tubes constructed on site when installing the air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> in the installation site such as a building, and tubes having various lengths and tube diameters are used in accordance with installation conditions such as the installation site and the combination of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit.

0059As described above, the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> of the air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> is configured as a result of the outdoor unit <b>2</b>, the indoor unit <b>4</b>, and the refrigerant connection tubes <b>5</b> and <b>6</b> being interconnected. The refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> is configured mainly as a result of the compressor <b>21</b>, the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> functioning as a radiator or evaporator, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>, the expansion valve <b>26</b>, and the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> functioning as an evaporator or radiator being interconnected. Additionally, the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> performs the cooling operation as a refrigeration cycle operation that causes the refrigerant to circulate in the order of the compressor <b>21</b>, the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> functioning as a radiator, the expansion valve <b>26</b>, and the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> functioning as an evaporator. When the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> performs this cooling operation, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> uses the high-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle flowing between the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> and the expansion valve <b>26</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>. Furthermore, the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> performs the heating operation as a refrigeration cycle operation that causes the refrigerant to circulate in the order of the compressor <b>21</b>, the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> functioning as a radiator, the expansion valve <b>26</b>, and the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> functioning as an evaporator. When the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> performs this heating operation, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> uses the low-pressure refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle flowing between the expansion valve <b>26</b> and the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>.

0000Control Unit

0060The air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> can control each device in the outdoor unit <b>2</b> and indoor unit <b>4</b> using a control unit <b>8</b> configured from the indoor-side control unit <b>40</b> and the outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b>. That is, a control unit <b>8</b> that controls the operations of the entire air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> including the refrigeration cycle operations such as the cooling operation and the heating operation as described above is configured by the indoor-side control unit <b>40</b> and the outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b>.

0000(2) Configuration of Outdoor Unit

0061Next, the configuration of the outdoor unit <b>2</b> will be described using <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. Here, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a plan sectional view of the outdoor unit <b>2</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a front view of the outdoor unit <b>2</b> showing a state in which a blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b> and a machine chamber-side front plate <b>55</b> have been removed. In the following description, expressions describing directions and surfaces—such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” as well as “front surface,” “side surface,” “back surface,” “top surface,” and “bottom surface”—will, unless otherwise indicated, mean directions and surfaces in a case where the outdoor unit <b>2</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is viewed from the front.

0062The outdoor unit <b>2</b> has a structure (a so-called trunk structure) where a blower chamber S<b>1</b> and a machine chamber S<b>2</b> are formed as a result of the interior space of a unit casing <b>50</b> being divided into a left space and a right space by a partition plate <b>57</b> extending in the vertical direction. The outdoor unit <b>2</b> is configured to suck outdoor air inside from parts of the back surface and a side surface of the unit casing <b>50</b> and thereafter expel the air from the front surface of the unit casing <b>50</b>. The outdoor unit <b>2</b> mainly has the unit casing <b>50</b>; refrigerant circuit constituent parts including the compressor <b>21</b>, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b>, the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>, the expansion valve <b>26</b>, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>, the stop valves <b>27</b> and <b>28</b>, and the refrigerant tubes <b>31</b> to <b>35</b> interconnecting these devices; the outdoor fan <b>36</b>; and the electrical component unit <b>70</b> in which plural electrical components are disposed. Here, an example is described where the blower chamber S<b>1</b> is formed near the left side surface of the unit casing <b>50</b> and the machine chamber S<b>2</b> is formed near the right side surface of the unit casing <b>50</b>, but these may also be reversed.

0063The unit casing <b>50</b> is formed in the shape of a substantial cuboid and mainly accommodates the refrigerant circuit constituent parts <b>21</b> to <b>28</b>, the outdoor fan <b>36</b>, and the electrical component unit <b>70</b>. The unit casing <b>50</b> has a bottom plate <b>51</b>, a blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b>, a machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b>, a blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b>, a machine chamber-side front plate <b>55</b>, and a top plate <b>56</b>.

0064The bottom plate <b>51</b> is a plate-like member that configures the bottom surface section of the unit casing <b>50</b>. Base legs <b>58</b> and <b>59</b> fixed to an on-site installation surface are disposed on the underside of the bottom plate <b>51</b>.

0065The blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b> is a plate-like member that configures the side surface section of the unit casing <b>50</b> near the blower chamber S<b>1</b>. The lower portion of the blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b> is fixed to the bottom plate <b>51</b>. An air inlet <b>52</b><i>a </i>for outdoor air sucked into the unit casing <b>50</b> by the outdoor fan <b>36</b> is formed in the blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b>.

0066The machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b> is a plate-like member that configures part of the side surface section of the unit casing <b>50</b> near the machine chamber S<b>2</b> and the back surface section of the unit casing <b>50</b> near the machine chamber S<b>2</b>. The lower portion of the machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b> is fixed to the bottom plate <b>51</b>. An air inlet <b>52</b><i>b </i>for outdoor air sucked into the unit casing <b>50</b> by the outdoor fan <b>36</b> is formed between the end portion of the blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b> on the back surface side and the end portion of the machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b> on the blower chamber S<b>1</b> side.

0067The blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b> is a plate-like member that configures the front surface section of the blower chamber S<b>1</b> of the unit casing <b>50</b>. The lower portion of the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b> is fixed to the bottom plate <b>51</b>, and the end portion of the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b> on the left side surface side is fixed to the end portion of the blower chamber-side side plate <b>52</b> on the front surface side. An air outlet <b>54</b><i>a </i>for blowing out, to the outside, the outdoor air that has been taken into the unit casing <b>50</b> by the outdoor fan <b>36</b> is disposed in the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b>.

0068The machine chamber-side front plate <b>55</b> is a plate-like member that configures part of the front surface section of the machine chamber S<b>2</b> of the unit casing <b>50</b> and part of the side surface section of the machine chamber S<b>2</b> of the unit casing <b>50</b>. The end portion of the machine chamber-side front plate <b>55</b> on the blower chamber S<b>1</b> side is fixed to the end portion of the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b> on the machine chamber S<b>2</b> side, and the end portion of the machine chamber-side front plate <b>55</b> on the back surface side is fixed to the end portion of the machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b> on the front surface side.

0069The top plate <b>56</b> is a plate-like member that configures the top surface section of the unit casing <b>50</b>. The top plate <b>56</b> is fixed to the blower chamber side-side plate <b>52</b>, the machine chamber-side side plate <b>53</b>, and the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b>.

0070The partition plate <b>57</b> is a plate-like member that is disposed on the bottom plate <b>51</b> and extends in the vertical direction. The partition plate <b>57</b> partitions the interior space of the unit casing <b>50</b> into a left space and a right space to thereby form the blower chamber S<b>1</b> near the left side surface and the machine chamber S<b>2</b> near the right side surface. The lower portion of the partition plate <b>57</b> is fixed to the bottom plate <b>51</b>, the end portion of the partition plate <b>57</b> on the front surface side is fixed to the blower chamber-side front plate <b>54</b>, and the end portion of the partition plate <b>57</b> on the back surface side is fixed to the end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> on the machine chamber S<b>2</b> side.

0071The outdoor fan <b>36</b> is disposed in the blower chamber S<b>1</b> in a position on the front surface side of the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> in such a way as to face the air outlet <b>54</b><i>a. </i>

0072The outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is a substantially L-shaped heat exchanger panel and is disposed in the blower chamber S<b>1</b> along the left side surface and back surface of the unit casing <b>50</b>.

0073The compressor <b>21</b> is a vertical cylinder-shaped closed compressor and is disposed in the machine chamber S<b>2</b>.

0074The electrical component unit <b>70</b> is disposed in the machine chamber S<b>2</b> in such a way as to be positioned near the front surface of the unit casing <b>50</b>. The electrical component unit <b>70</b> is a unit in which plural electrical components used such as to control the devices in the outdoor unit <b>2</b> are disposed and configures the outdoor-side control unit <b>20</b>. The electrical component unit <b>70</b> mainly has a base plate <b>71</b> and plural electrical components including the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> such as a power element configuring the inverter of the compressor motor <b>21</b><i>a</i>. The heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> are mounted on the front surface of the base plate <b>71</b>.

0075The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> here is a member with a vertically long shape along the lengthwise direction of a section of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> bent in a U-shape, and the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is supported on the base plate <b>71</b>. The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> has a structure where the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>, which is bent in a U-shape in such a way as to turn around in the up and down direction, is attached to it. The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is disposed in such a way as to cover, from the front, the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> mounted on the base plate <b>71</b> and thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>.

0076Although it is not shown in the drawings here, the refrigerant circuit constituent parts such as the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> and the expansion valve <b>26</b> are also disposed in the unit casing <b>50</b>. Furthermore, the detailed structure of the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> will be described below.

0000(3) Actions of Air Conditioning Apparatus

0077Next, the actions of the air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> will be described using <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. The air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> can perform the cooling operation and the heating operation while using the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>. The cooling operation and the heating operation are performed by the control unit <b>8</b>.

0000Cooling Operation

0078During the cooling operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> is switched to the cooling cycle state (the state indicated by the solid lines in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0079In the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b>, the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is sucked into the compressor <b>21</b>, compressed to a high pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and thereafter discharged.

0080The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has been discharged from the compressor <b>21</b> is sent through the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> to the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>.

0081The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has been sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied as a cooling source by the outdoor fan <b>36</b>, releases heat, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>.

0082The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has released heat in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> is sent to the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>.

0083The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been sent to the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> exchanges heat with the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> and is heated. At this time, the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> become cooled in accordance with the flow rate (that is, the refrigerant circulation amount) and temperature of the high-pressure liquid refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>.

0084The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been heated in the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is sent to the expansion valve <b>26</b>.

0085The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been sent to the expansion valve <b>26</b> has its pressure reduced to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle by the expansion valve <b>26</b> and becomes low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state whose pressure has been reduced by the expansion valve <b>26</b> is sent through the liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b> and the liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b> to the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>.

0086The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that has been sent to the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> exchanges heat with room air supplied as a heating source by the indoor fan <b>42</b> and evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>. Because of this, the room air is cooled and thereafter supplied to the room, whereby the room is cooled.

0087The low-pressure gas refrigerant that has evaporated in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> travels through the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b>, the gas-side stop valve <b>28</b>, and the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> and is sucked back into the compressor <b>21</b>.

0000Heating Operation

0088During the heating operation, the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> is switched to the heating cycle state (the state indicated by the dashed lines in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>).

0089In the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b>, the low-pressure gas refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle is sucked into the compressor <b>21</b>, compressed to a high pressure in the refrigeration cycle, and thereafter discharged.

0090The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has been discharged from the compressor <b>21</b> is sent through the four-way switching valve <b>22</b>, the gas-side stop valve <b>28</b>, and the gas refrigerant connection tube <b>6</b> to the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>.

0091The high-pressure gas refrigerant that has been sent to the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> exchanges heat with room air supplied as a cooling source by the indoor fan <b>42</b>, releases heat, and becomes high-pressure liquid refrigerant in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b>. Because of this, the room air is heated and thereafter supplied to the room, whereby the room is heated.

0092The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has released heat in the indoor heat exchanger <b>41</b> is sent through the liquid refrigerant connection tube <b>5</b> and the liquid-side stop valve <b>27</b> to the expansion valve <b>26</b>.

0093The high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has been sent to the expansion valve <b>26</b> has its pressure reduced to a low pressure in the refrigeration cycle by the expansion valve <b>26</b> and becomes low-pressure refrigerant in a gas-liquid two-phase state. The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state whose pressure has been reduced by the expansion valve <b>26</b> is sent to the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>.

0094The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that has been sent to the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> exchanges heat with the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> and is heated. At this time, the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> become cooled in accordance with the flow rate (that is, the refrigerant circulation amount) and temperature of the low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state flowing through the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>.

0095The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that has been heated in the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>.

0096The low-pressure refrigerant in the gas-liquid two-phase state that has been sent to the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> exchanges heat with outdoor air supplied as a heating source by the outdoor fan <b>36</b>, evaporates, and becomes low-pressure gas refrigerant in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b>.

0097The low-pressure refrigerant that has evaporated in the outdoor heat exchanger <b>23</b> travels through the four-way switching valve <b>22</b> and is sucked back into the compressor <b>21</b>.

0000(4) Structure of Refrigerant Jacket

0098Next, the detailed structure of the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> will be described using <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>. Here, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a front view of the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a sectional view taken along line I-I of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a front view showing a state in which a refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is supported on the base plate <b>71</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a sectional view taken along line II-II of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a sectional view taken along line III-III of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a front view showing a state in which the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> has been fitted into groove portions <b>81</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a front view of a cover member <b>90</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a front view showing a state in which the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is covered with the cover member <b>90</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section B of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a drawing showing a step of assembling the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> and is a drawing describing the work of assembling section C of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>. In the following description, expressions describing directions and surfaces—such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right,” as well as “front surface,” “side surface,” “back surface,” “top surface,” and “bottom surface”—will, unless otherwise indicated, mean directions and surfaces in a case where the outdoor unit <b>2</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> (the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> corresponding thereto) is viewed from the front.

0099As described above, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> uses the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> (here, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant tube <b>35</b>) to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>. The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> mainly has a refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> and a cover member <b>90</b>.

0100The refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is a member with a vertically long shape made of aluminum or aluminum alloy that thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> and in which are formed groove portions <b>81</b> into which a refrigerant tube configuring the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> (here, the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>) fits. The refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is disposed in such a way that its back surface contacts the front surface sides of the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> mounted on the base plate <b>71</b>. The refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is supported on the base plate <b>71</b> via support members <b>76</b>. Here, the support members <b>76</b> are members fixed by fitting or screwing or the like to the upper end and lower end of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. In order to support the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> on the base plate <b>71</b>, each support member <b>76</b> has a body portion <b>77</b> to which the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is fixed and leg portions <b>78</b> that extend from the body portion <b>77</b> toward the back surface side and are fixed by insertion, for example, to the base plate <b>71</b>. A pair of groove portions <b>81</b>, a pair of V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b>, and a middle portion <b>83</b> are formed in the front surface of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The pair of groove portions <b>81</b> extend in the up and down direction along the straight tube portions of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>. The groove portions <b>81</b> are formed in such a way that their cross sections have substantially circular arcuate shapes, and parts of the outer peripheral surface of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> fit into the groove portions <b>81</b>. Grease for promoting thermal conduction is applied between the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> and the groove portions <b>81</b>. The pair of V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b> are disposed between the pair of groove portions <b>81</b> in the right and left direction and extend in the up and down direction substantially parallel to the groove portions <b>81</b>. The middle portion <b>83</b> is disposed between the pair of V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b> in the right and left direction and extends in the up and down direction substantially parallel to the groove portions <b>81</b> and the V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b>.

0101The cover member <b>90</b> is a member with a vertically long shape made of steel that covers the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in a state in which the refrigerant tube (here, the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>) has been fitted into the groove portions <b>81</b>. The cover member <b>90</b> is disposed opposing the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The cover member <b>90</b> straddles the pair of groove portions <b>81</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The cover member <b>90</b> has, as sections covering the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> from the front surface side, a pair of outside plate portions <b>91</b>, a pair of opposing portions <b>92</b>, a pair of inside plate portions <b>93</b>, an attachment plate portion <b>94</b>, and a pair of folded-back portions <b>95</b>. The outside plate portions <b>91</b> are formed on both right and left direction end sides of the cover member <b>90</b>. The outside plate portions <b>91</b> are tabular sections bent from the opposing portions <b>92</b> toward both right and left direction end sides of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The opposing portions <b>92</b> are tabular sections that oppose the straight tube portions of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>—that is, the groove portions <b>81</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>—and substantially linearly contact the outer peripheral surface of the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>. The inside plate portions <b>93</b> are formed on the right and left direction middle sides of the opposing portions <b>92</b>. The inside plate portions <b>93</b> are tabular sections bent from the opposing portions <b>92</b> toward the V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The attachment plate portion <b>94</b> is a tabular section interposed between the pair of inside plate portions <b>93</b> in the right and left direction. The attachment plate portion <b>94</b> opposes the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The folded-back portions <b>95</b> are formed between the inside plate portions <b>93</b> and the attachment plate portion <b>94</b> in the right and left direction and are sections that project in substantial V-shapes toward the V-opposing recessed portions <b>82</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>.

0102Additionally, a strength member <b>100</b> higher in strength than the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> made of aluminum or aluminum alloy is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Here, the strength member <b>100</b> is a member made of zinc- or tin-plated steel or stainless steel and does not electrically corrode even when it contacts the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>, the cover member <b>90</b> made of steel, and the refrigerant tube <b>35</b> made of copper. The strength member <b>100</b> here is a vertically long rod-like member that opposes the front surface of the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Furthermore, the strength member <b>100</b> opposes the back surface of the attachment plate portion <b>94</b> of the cover member <b>90</b> in a state in which the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is covered with the cover member <b>90</b>. Furthermore, strength-side through holes <b>102</b> including through holes are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> (here, in sections opposing the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>). Here, there are four strength-side through holes <b>102</b> disposed apart from one another in the up and down direction. The number of the strength-side through holes <b>102</b> is not limited to four and, for example, may also be one to three in a case where the vertical direction dimension of the cover member <b>90</b> is short or may also be five or more in a case where the vertical direction dimension of the cover member <b>90</b> is long. Strength member fixing screw holes <b>85</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the strength-side through holes <b>102</b>. The strength member <b>100</b> is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> as a result of being fastened by strength member fixing screws <b>88</b> including screws that pass through the strength-side through holes <b>102</b> and screw into the strength member fixing screw holes <b>85</b>. Moreover, here, first strength-side recessed portions <b>103</b> including recesses that accommodate head portions of the strength member fixing screws <b>88</b> in a state in which the strength member <b>100</b> has been fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> are formed in the strength member <b>100</b>. Furthermore, heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> (here, in the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>). The heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> are fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> by heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> including screws that screw into the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>. Specifically, heat emitting electrical part-side through holes <b>72</b><i>a </i>through which the heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> can be inserted are formed in the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> in positions opposing the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>, and the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> are fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> by passing the heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> through the heat emitting electrical part-side through holes <b>72</b><i>a </i>and screwing them into the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>. Here, the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> penetrate the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Second strength-side recessed portions <b>104</b> including through holes are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>. The second strength-side recessed portions <b>104</b> do not have to be through holes that oppose and are communicated with the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> and may also, for example, be recesses that oppose and are communicated with the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>.

0103Additionally, cover-side through holes <b>96</b> including through holes are formed in the cover member <b>90</b> in positions opposing the strength member <b>100</b> (here, in the attachment plate portion <b>94</b>). Here, the cover-side through holes <b>96</b> are through holes through which cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> including screws can be inserted. Here, there are two cover-side through holes <b>96</b> disposed apart from one another in the up and down direction. The number of the cover-side through holes <b>96</b> is not limited to two and, for example, may also be just one in a case where the vertical direction dimension of the cover member <b>90</b> is short or may also be three or four or more in a case where the vertical direction dimension of the cover member <b>90</b> is long. Furthermore, cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the cover-side through holes <b>96</b>. Here, the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> are screw holes into which the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> including screws are screwed. Additionally, the cover member <b>90</b> is fastened and fixed to the strength member <b>100</b> by passing the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> through the cover-side through holes <b>96</b> and screwing them into the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b>. Moreover, here, the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> penetrate the strength member <b>100</b>. First refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>84</b> including recesses are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> (here, in the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>). The first refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>84</b> do not have to be recessed portions that oppose and are communicated with the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> and may also, for example, be through holes that oppose and are communicated with the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b>.

0104The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> with the structure described above including the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>, the cover member <b>90</b>, and the strength member <b>100</b> is assembled by fitting the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> into the groove portions <b>81</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> to which the strength member <b>100</b> has been fixed, so that the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>), covering the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> with the cover member <b>90</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), and thereafter inserting the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> through the cover-side through holes <b>96</b> and screwing them into the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> to thereby fix the cover member <b>90</b> to the strength member <b>100</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>). Moreover, here, the following structure is also employed in order to improve the assemblability of the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b>. Specifically, in a state in which the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is covered with the cover member <b>90</b> but the cover member <b>90</b> is not fixed by the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> to the strength member <b>100</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>), the cover member <b>90</b> is restrained in such a way that it does not move in a predetermined direction (here, the right and left direction) in relation to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Here, outer restraining portions <b>79</b> are disposed on the support members <b>76</b>. The outer restraining portions <b>79</b> are a pair of plate-like sections that extend from both right and left direction ends of the body portions <b>77</b> of the support members <b>76</b> toward the cover member <b>90</b>, and the outer restraining portions <b>79</b> have shapes in which their end portions on the front surface side curve outward in the right and left direction. Additionally, a pair of tabular restrained portions <b>97</b> that extend from both right and left direction ends of the outside plate portions <b>91</b> toward the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> are further formed on the cover member <b>90</b>, and when the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> has been covered with the cover member <b>90</b>, the restrained portions <b>97</b> are positioned between the outer restraining portions <b>79</b> in the right and left direction, whereby the cover member <b>90</b> is restrained in such a way that it does not move in a predetermined direction (here, the right and left direction) in relation to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Furthermore, here, claw portions <b>97</b><i>a </i>and <b>97</b><i>b </i>that project outward in the right and left direction are formed by cutting-and-raising, for example, on the restrained portions <b>97</b>. Moreover, slits <b>79</b><i>a </i>and <b>79</b><i>b </i>are formed in the curved sections of the outer restraining portions <b>79</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the claw portions <b>97</b><i>a </i>and <b>97</b><i>b </i>are inserted into the slits <b>79</b><i>a </i>and <b>79</b><i>b </i>and the cover member <b>90</b> is slid downward, whereby the cover member <b>90</b> can be provisionally fastened to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. Specifically, first, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, the T-shaped claw portion <b>97</b><i>a </i>on the upper left side is diagonally inserted into the slit <b>79</b><i>a</i>. Next, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the T-shaped claw portion <b>97</b><i>a </i>on the lower left side is inserted into the slit <b>79</b><i>b</i>. Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the L-shaped claw portions <b>97</b><i>b </i>on the upper right side and the lower right side are inserted into the slits <b>79</b><i>b </i>and <b>79</b><i>a </i>(<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows the insertion of the claw portion <b>97</b><i>b </i>on the upper right side into the slit <b>79</b><i>b </i>but does not show the insertion of the claw portion <b>97</b><i>b </i>on the lower right side into the slit <b>79</b><i>a</i>). Thereafter, the cover member <b>90</b> is slid downward in relation to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> so that the claw portions <b>97</b><i>a </i>and <b>97</b><i>b </i>engage with the slits <b>79</b><i>a </i>and <b>79</b><i>b</i>, whereby the cover member <b>90</b> is provisionally fastened to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>.

0000(5) Characteristics of Refrigerant Jacket and Air Conditioning Apparatus Equipped Therewith

0105The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of the present embodiment and the air conditioning apparatus <b>1</b> equipped therewith have the following characteristics.

0106Here, as described above (in particular, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>), the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> that uses the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> has the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> and the cover member <b>90</b>. The refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is a member made of aluminum or aluminum alloy that thermally contacts the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> and in which are formed the groove portions <b>81</b> into which a refrigerant tube configuring the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> fits. The cover member <b>90</b> is a member that covers the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in a state in which the refrigerant tube has been fitted into the groove portions <b>81</b>. Additionally, the strength member <b>100</b> higher in strength than the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The cover-side through holes <b>96</b> including through holes are formed in the cover member <b>90</b> in positions opposing the strength member <b>100</b>. The cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the cover-side through holes <b>96</b>. The cover member <b>90</b> is fixed and fastened to the strength member <b>100</b> by the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> including screws that pass through the cover side through holes <b>96</b> and screw into the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b>. That is, here, the strength member <b>100</b> higher in strength than the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>, the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> are formed in the strength member <b>100</b>, and the cover member <b>90</b> is fastened and fixed to the strength member <b>100</b> by the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b>.

0107Because of this, here, the threads of the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> no longer strip even due to repeated screwing and excessive tightening of the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b>, and the cover member <b>90</b> can be fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in a state in which the refrigerant tube and the groove portions <b>81</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> are in sufficiently close contact with one another.

0108Furthermore, here, as described above, the strength member <b>100</b> is a member that does not electrically corrode even when it contacts the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>, the cover member <b>90</b>, and the refrigerant tube (here, the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b>).

0109Because of this, here, damage caused by electrical corrosion of the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> can be suppressed.

0110Moreover, here, as described above, the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> penetrate the strength member <b>100</b>. The first refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>84</b> including recesses or through holes are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b>.

0111Because of this, here, the hole depth of the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> can be increased and the distal end portions of the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> can be accommodated in the first refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>84</b>. Additionally, the fastening strength between the cover member <b>90</b> and the strength member <b>100</b> can be improved and interference between the cover member fixing screws <b>99</b> and the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> can be avoided.

0112Here, as described above (in particular, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>), the strength-side through holes <b>102</b> including through holes are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The strength member fixing screw holes <b>85</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the strength-side through holes <b>102</b>. The strength member <b>100</b> is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> as a result of being fastened by the strength member fixing screws <b>88</b> including screws that pass through the strength-side through holes <b>102</b> and screw into the strength member fixing screw holes <b>85</b>.

0113Because of this, here, the strength member <b>100</b> can be strongly and easily fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>.

0114Moreover, here, as described above, the first strength-side recessed portions <b>103</b> including recesses that accommodate the head portions of the strength member fixing screws <b>88</b> in a state in which the strength member <b>100</b> has been fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> are formed in the strength member <b>100</b>.

0115Because of this, here, interference between the head portions of the strength member fixing screws <b>88</b> and the cover member <b>90</b> can be avoided.

0116Here, as described above (in particular, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>), the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> including screw holes having threads are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> in positions opposing the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>. The heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> are fastened and fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> by the heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> including screws that screw into the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>. The heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> penetrate the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>. The second strength-side recessed portions <b>104</b> including recesses or through holes are formed in the strength member <b>100</b> in positions opposing the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b>.

0117Because of this, here, the hole depth of the heat emitting electrical part fixing screw holes <b>87</b> can be increased and the distal end portions of the heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> can be accommodated in the second strength-side recessed portions <b>104</b>. Additionally, the fastening strength between the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> and the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b> can be improved and interference between the heat emitting electrical part fixing screws <b>89</b> and the strength member <b>100</b> can be avoided.

0000(6) Example Modifications

0118The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of the above-described embodiment employs a structure where a vertically long rod-like member opposing the front surface of the middle portion <b>83</b> of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> is used as the strength member <b>100</b> and where the strength member <b>100</b> is fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> by the strength member fixing screws <b>88</b>. However, the strength member <b>100</b> is not limited to a member with the above-described shape.

0119For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> may also employ a structure where second refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>86</b> including recesses into which strength members <b>100</b> fit are formed in the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> and where the strength members <b>100</b> are fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> as a result of being press-fitted into the second refrigerant cooling-side recessed portions <b>86</b>. That is, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> may also employ a structure where only the sections of the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b> opposing the cover-side through holes <b>96</b> of the cover member <b>90</b> are used as strength members <b>100</b> and where the cover member fixing screw holes <b>101</b> are formed in the strength members <b>100</b>.

0120In this case also, the same action and effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained, and the strength members <b>100</b> can be strongly and easily fixed to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>.

0121The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of the above-described embodiment employs a structure where the claw portions <b>97</b><i>a </i>and <b>97</b><i>b </i>and the slits <b>79</b><i>a </i>and <b>79</b><i>b </i>are utilized as a structure for provisionally fastening the cover member <b>90</b> to the refrigerant cooling member <b>80</b>, but the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is not limited to this and may also employ another provisional fastening structure. Furthermore, the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> does not have to employ this provisional fastening structure.

0122The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of the above-described embodiment has a vertically long shape in the outdoor unit <b>2</b>, but the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is not limited to this and may also have a transversely long shape.

0123The refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> of the above-described embodiment uses the refrigerant flowing through the liquid refrigerant tube <b>35</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>, but the refrigerant jacket <b>29</b> is not limited to this and may also use the refrigerant flowing through another refrigerant tube of the refrigerant circuit <b>10</b> to cool the heat emitting electrical parts <b>72</b>.